Toenail fungus, tea tree oil

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Treat your toes with tea tree oil

By Astrid Pujari, M.D.

Special to The Seattle Times

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Q:

I have read about remedies that cure toenail fungus using means other

than prescription medications. We now need that information in our

family. Could you please help us with this frustrating and embarrassing

problem?

A: Toenail fungus, known as "onychomycosis" in

medical circles, can be a frustrating problem. It usually shows up as a

white, yellow or brown color change in one part of the nail, which can

then spread to involve the entire nail bed. Sometimes, part of the nail

breaks or flakes off, leaving irregular edges, and it can persist

indefinitely if it isn't addressed.

However, most of the time medicine considers it more of a cosmetic

issue rather than a "medical issue" because it doesn't usually cause

any long-term problems. Of course, there are always exceptions to that

rule — including people with diabetes, for example.

The trouble with toenail fungus is that it is hard to treat, even

with prescription drugs. The two medications that are most commonly

used are terbinafine and itraconazole. They are usually taken orally

for about six to 12 weeks.

The downside is that they interfere with other medications, and can

also tax your liver. Another downside is that some insurance companies

won't cover the drugs because they also consider toenail fungus a

cosmetic issue — though that depends on the individual case as well.

Because of that, many people turn to holistic medicine for ideas.

Applying tea tree oil topically has helped some patients I have worked

with. In one study, researchers had people apply a 100-percent tea tree

oil solution on their nail twice a day for six months. This cured 18

percent of participants and improved the appearance of the nail in 60

percent.

But if you are going to try this, make sure you are using 100

percent tea tree oil, because lower concentrations do not seem to work.

As for side effects, some people are allergic to tea tree and get

skin inflammation when they put it on the nail. If that is the case,

then don't use it. Also, keep in mind that you should never take tea

tree oil orally because it is toxic.

Dr. Astrid Pujari is a Seattle M.D. with an additional degree as

a medical herbalist; she practices at the Pujari Center and teaches as

part of the residency programs at Virginia Mason and Swedish/Cherry

Hill hospitals. Send questions to apujari@...

for possible use in future columns. All information is intended for

education and not a substitute for medical advice. Consult your doctor

before following any suggestions given here.